Poker : Starting Hand Guide
The game of Texas Hold'em poker takes minutes to learn, but
there's so much going on during an actual hand that it can take
many years before a player is good enough to win consistently.
It all starts with the first two cards. Knowing when to play and
when to skip on a hand is the first crucial step to winning at
Texas Hold'em poker. Today, I am going to run down a series of
starting hands and what you should think about doing when you
get them. This list assumes that you are playing at a table with
seven or more players and that you are somewhat new to the game
of Poker.
The Big Hands
If you receive any of the following four hands, you should raise
when it's your turn to bet. If someone raised the pot already
then re-raise.
The four big hands are: AA, KK, QQ and AK.
The Limp Hands
If you find yourself with an upper level pair of eights, nines,
tens or Jacks, you want to limp in the pot, which means to
simply call the minimum bet. However, if someone has raised the
pot, you want to consider folding. You are most likely beat.
Some players will limp in with any pair, some with pairs of
fours or higher and so forth. This is something you will figure
out for yourself.
The Connectors
There are times when you will want to limp in with hands that
can possibly pay off. Normally, you will play these hands when
you are in the blinds or late position (one of the last to act).
If the pot gets raised, fold.
These hands are: AQ, AJ, AT, KQ, KJ, QJ, and possibly JT. If
these hands are suited, their value goes up, because you gain
the possibility of a flush or straight flush.
Many newer players get in trouble with some of these hands,
because they get face card envy. Learn when to lay down hands
and your profits will go up. If you have a hand that is not
listed here, it should most likely be folded. There are times,
when on the button, where you might want to play something like
a 65s (suited). However, playing too many junk hands will milk
away your chips. At first, you want to play tight. As you learn
the game of Poker, open up and expand your playing ability.